Entering the Walled Town and Its Rivers
After being admitted into the town under the great wall, I was much struck by the design of the place. It reminded me of pictures I had seen of the wall of the Kingdom of China, where rivers are shown passing through the wall while the structure still continues above them. In a similar manner, the town walls here were built in such a way that the flow of water was allowed, yet the strength of the defence was not broken. This clever construction showed both skill and careful planning by the builders Turkey Private Round Tour.
The town itself lay in a narrow passage between hills, and the walls gave it a safe and enclosed appearance. A small river ran nearby, adding to the beauty of the place and also serving practical uses for the people who lived there.
The Iron Works at Mehrzuschlag
From this town I travelled to Mehrzuschlag, a place well known for its iron works. Here, iron was beaten into long bars with great labour and noise. The sound of hammers could be heard from far away, and many strong workers were employed in shaping the metal. The work required heat, strength, and patience, and it showed how important iron production was to the region.
After leaving Mehrzuschlag, I went on to Keimburg, passing a small but swift river named Murtz. Though the river was not very large, it moved quickly and added life to the surrounding landscape.
Castles, Rivers, and the Town of Prug
On the road I passed by a castle belonging to the ancient family of Stubnberg, which is considered one of the oldest noble families in Germany. The castle stood proudly on high ground, overlooking the land around it. Soon after, I arrived at the town of Prug, which is seated upon the River Mur, also called the Muer. This river is large and fast, though not suitable for navigation. However, after passing by Gratz and Rakenburg, it becomes wider Journey through Upper Hungary.
Prug, also known as Muripons, is a well-built town for that region and contains a fair piazza. I had previously seen another town with the same name near the River Leyte, which for distinction is called Prug upon the Leyte.
Through Iron Towns and Historic Lands
Continuing my journey, I passed through Luheim, where the staple trade of iron is strong. From there I travelled to Knitelfeldt and Judenburg, both located near the River Mur. The following day I went through Hundtsmark and Nevemark, and then reached Freisach. Some believe this place to be the ancient Virunum, while others think it was Vacorium.
Along the way I could see several castles, including Altenhofen, the castle of Itrowitz, and Tottenbrun, which belongs to the Archbishop of Saltzburg. These strong buildings showed the long history and importance of the region.
St. Veit A Historic City with Churches and Antiquities
At last I arrived at St. Veit, also called St. Faith, which was once the chief city of Carinthia. It stands where the rivers Gian and Wunich meet. The town is surrounded by walls and contains six churches and a fine piazza. In the piazza there is a remarkable fountain with a basin of white marble carved from a single stone. This impressive piece was brought from Sad or Zolfeldt, a nearby place rich in Roman antiquities.
Near St. Veit there are four notable hills: the Hill of St. Veit, St. Ulrich, St. Laurence, and St. Helena. Each hill has a chapel on its top. Once every year, the inhabitants walk on foot in devotion to all these chapels, even though the journey is more than thirty English miles in total.
Life, Weather, and Health in the Region
We stayed for some time in St. Veit and were entertained with a Latin comedy performed at the Franciscan convent. It was the month of May, and while the lower hills were green and full of fir and larch trees, the higher mountains were still covered with snow. The weather changed quickly, and when thunder and lightning began, the church bells were rung at once.
In this region, I observed that many people had very large swellings in their throats, some as large as their heads. Many were also blind, mute, or mentally weak. Outside the town there is a hospital for those who have lost their voice, their reason, or who suffer greatly from these swollen throats. Both men and women are affected, especially those who live poorly. It was noted that people of better condition, who drink wine and good beer and live more comfortably, seem less troubled by these illnesses. Indeed, I saw larger throat swellings here than in any part of the Alpine regions of Savoy.
